Does this sound like a scam?

[jtrobiani]

I am currently selling puppies on kijiji. I was contacted via email by a person who wants to do the following:

She is sending me a cashiers check/money order for the cost of the dog plus shipping money. Once I cash those, I am supposed to send the extra money via Western Union to the shipping company and they will do the rest (pick up the puppy and ship him out). I am a bit skeptical because it took over a month for the money to arrive to me. Also because of the amount extra that was sent (the price for the puppy was 500 and she sent me 2500). Has anybody ever heard of anything like this or does it sound legit?

[puppyluv8805]

SCAM

if I am reading you right -- you said you already have the check in hand? you can take it to your bank and have them investigate it but i will tell you that this reads like EVERY scam alert I have ever read.

[jtrobiani]

The money orders came in today while I was at work. My husband called and told me. They are for $500 each (5 of them) from Circle K (all in numerical order).

[puppyluv8805]

I'd have your bank check them out before you try to cash them or any thing.

I mean -- what person in their right mind would send you $2000 more than what you were asking? and then, actually trust you to return the overage??

Just... have your bank check them out or if you can... contact Circle K main office and ask them if those m/o are legit.

[babybrat]

Please check the validity of those checks. You can be opening yourself for a wide variety of problems. Including bad check fees. Save yourself the heartache and investigate,

[puppyluv8805]

I found this info just now on another site abt how to avoid being scammed

[jtrobiani]

OK, you were right. It was a huge scam. The purchase price of the puppy was $500, I was sent $2500 in money orders. I was supposed to send $2000 to the shipping company via Western Union. Well, I called Moneygram just now and they let me know that they were all invalid money orders and about the security features on the checks that I could look at!! I am so glad that I didn't fall for this. From now on its locals only for me

What is your opinion, should I contact the authorities and give them all of the information that I have? Who should I call?

FYI....if you ever receive an email from Patty Williams (petlover007@yahoo.com), please don't fall for her story!!!

[puppyluv8805]

[jtrobiani]

I already filed that report yesterday. The scammer does not know that I know that they are fakes. She/he still thinks that I am going to wire the money on Friday:-)

[JoJosAmstaffs]

Glad you didn't fall for it!!!!! These people are out of control I really hope someone puts an end to this. When it happened to me the red flag wasn't even the money it was the shipping I kept asking where the dog was going and why did a shipper have to come get her then I told them cash only. Never bothered me again.

[Anfelface]

If I understand correctly, you have this cashier's check/money order in your possession. Somewhere on it is the financial institution that "certified" the funds, which should be able to be found under a simple google search!...Call them and ask them to and exactly this-"I need to verify funds", they will ask for the info and tell you what you need to know! The numbers along the bottom of the check are magnetic...and should appear in sets of 3, the first is the Banks routing number and if US, begins 0541....always, as it is a federal id number! The next set is the account number...the third should match the document number/check#...Do not cash this at your bank! If you take it to their bank or the Post Office if it is from there (as a money order...best way to go on those! Though still a big hassle!!) If the bank does not have a branch here, ask them who their "Sister" Bank is in your city/state...all banks have them...you are relieved of all financial responsibility if you have these funds cashed out by the "Writing" entity...if it's fake, they will know it! Your bank will be more than happy to deposit it and then come back for your head when it is returned some 3-10 days later and these folks r no where to be found and neither is your pet!

Bookkeeper by trade, I hope this helps out "EVERYBODY"

Angel!!

[Anfelface]

[puppyluv8805]

[sherriej]

Don't feel bad, I have bassetts for sale. Got a call from "Joyce" in Alabama via a hearing impaired operator. Same routine as with you, only my check is 2700.00 for a 100.00 dog. The check comes from another person altogether and I did a reverse address to find out the person's name and actually called this person, but had to leave a message. Called the bank listed on the check Bank of America in Atlanta, routing number was bogus, acct was bogus. Called local sheriff office, there are so many of these type scams and they are so hard to prove as in many cases they originate out of your state or even country. Joyce's email was a yahoo acct. I am contracting my State attny General office as I was told that they have a division dealing with these type cases. I printed out all the emails from her and saved the check and envelope. I am not optimistic of results, but I am going to try anyway. It is a shame that there are people out there preying on others this way.

[jtrobiani]

It just keeps going....got home yesterday from work and I had an envelope addressed to me from Africa. It had a cashier's check for $3500 made out to me wrapped in a plain white piece of paper...I have never even talked to anybody else out of state regarding a puppy....this just amazes me